Letter to Yenta 02/10/02

I have recently moved into the area and I am a little confused. My address is New Hope, but I live in the new North Pointe development on the other side of 202. I was told that New Hope ends at the fire station at Sugan, and where I am is Solebury. Is this true? If so why do I have a New Hope mailing address? I have also heard that there is Solebury Township and Solebury town. I thought Solebury Township consists of Solebury town (borough or whatever) and New Hope town (borough whatever). From what I've been hearing however you can live in New Hope town (does not belong to a township), Solebury town (part of solebury township), or in Solebury Township (no town specified). I am really confused, if you can explain all of this to me and let me know where I actually live that would be great, what town and what township, and how my address works.

Thanks,
Paul Gomolinski

Letter to Yenta 02/06/02

My Dear Yenta,

It has been so long since I have had the opportunity to speak with you. There is so much I would like to chat with you about. I have happy, joyous news that I would like to share with you. Unfortunately, because of back alley thugs who thrust themselves onto your most vaunted site, that will have to come at another time. Right now I must defend myself from the spate of letters that have clustered onto your noble role in the last few days. These illiterate scribblings are meant to harm me, instead they just focus on the pitiful depravities of the writers.

Does anyone see a common thread here? Isn't it a coincidence that they all pick on the same subject? Haven't we heard these strains before? Do you think there is any chance they all could be coming from one source? This chorus of Harpies, in the past, skrilled their hideous voices throughout your web pages, the media, the cocktail circuit and to the good people who are otherwise uninformed. While I was on Borough Council these Harpies lied to,and badgered anyone who would listen, so that the light of the Johnson and Prosceno Borough Council could be doused by their spew. When the Renaissance appeared citizens rejoiced. Now, unless we act darkness will fall. Good people have been afraid to participate in their government because of this mewling and puking pit of vipers.

I am not on Council now. I don't have to remain aloof and decorous while being attacked by idiots and perpetuators of criminal behavior. I am running for election to the new 29th Pennsylvania State House Seat. It is not only my pleasure, but also my duty to retort to this angry cell of malcontents.
Be advised: it is a different game. To wit:

Since all the recent "Kindergarten Komplainers" strike the same assonant note, I will treat the letters from MRL, local yokal (can't even spell yokel) and Rays Kid ( I didn't know Ray kept goats) as one and the same.

Here is my reply.

My boat was sabotaged. The lines were UNTIED and left neatly coiled on my dock. It was a personal message. Untying a vessel is the same cowardly act as arson. The continued lack of interest and non-investigation by the investigating officer is disgusting. Had a loss a tenth this size happened to any other citizen, the wailing would have been deafening. I have never complained.

I spent August 10th, 2000 until December 18th 2000 working with local heroes in frigid water to attempt the recovery of my vessel. Did I mention that the water we were working in was moving at 35 mph, or that it was frigid? On December 18th the river flooded. The flood was so severe the frigid water raised 12 feet. Not only did my vessel, "The Major William C. Barnette", get sweppted away by the frigid raging flood waters, it disappeared completely for three weeks!

These writers weakly complain, "Someone should do something" or that, "New Hope Borough Council should hire someone to remove the eyesore". Did any of these people contact me? I would love it if any of them would personally contact me. I would love to personally contact them. There are so many inaccuracies and misunderstandings in those statements and the sentiment they reflect that I choose not to educate the ignorant on these matters at this time. What this means is that they are so wrong in their assumptions it is to my benefit not to explain. Your most educated readers will understand.

But let me ask a question, "Why don't YOU offer to help?" Or another question. "Why hasn't there been a community effort to help?" Some appropriate answers are, "YOU haven't a clue how to go about rescuing this vessel", and knowing the risks and costs involved, "I haven't asked any one for help."

The Major is not abandoned. It is docked with the permission of the property owner where it rests. It is still valuable and will be returned to service.

The Major William C. Barnette will be salvaged by me. I will salvage it using one of two very different methods. The final rescue will be done in a manner that will not injure any of the brave heroes who have stood with me in freezing chest deep water in my attempts to rescue Her . The magnitude of the engineering project required for this rescue demands an open-ended time frame. Time equals safety. I will not subject my crew to freezing temperatures in the River as long as the "Major" is not a threat to
navigation.

The real people of our Valley have been supportive and intrigued by this process. To those people I openly apologize for any inconvenience. It IS my river as well. I have been born and raised on it, I love it and I will protect it from any environmental issues. Beside Fred Lewis there are few people who know this River as well. This river is my life and livelihood.

These letters attempt to stir controversy where none exists. The real purpose is not to protect the river but to find some dirt to smear on my character. Why? Because these perpetrators of the vile verses know that I always did the correct thing on Council. They fear that as a State Representative I will shine the light of truth on the maggot infested rotting underbelly of those who benefit from a corrupt local society of self proclaimed trendsetters. They are right to fear that. From now on every time they try and embarrass me with a concocted issue, I will embarrass five of their minions with the truth. Bring it on!

Now you can be certain Dear Yenta that your pages will fill. But let's do it differently this time. Since the avalanche of vituperative invectives is certain to follow in the usual manner: vague accusations, hinted rumors and COWARDLY UNSIGNED LETTERS, let us, as the on-line community, lead the way for the real community. Let us stand up to these bullies and answer them word for word. We must expose their clandestine activities and hush their irrational voices. It is time to take back our neighborhood from the scum who have pretended to be citizens.

I'll get the boat out when I'm ready.

Robert V. Gerenser
Republican Candidate for the 29th District Pennsylvania House Seat

Letter to Yenta 02/05/02

Dear Yenta,
I remember reading a long time ago that Mr. Gerenser did not pay his taxes. I am not sure what taxes were not paid, property perhaps, but I do not recall for certain. Assuming this information was correct, how will this effect his chances for public office and how can we learn if the delinquent taxes have all been paid?

Rays Kid,
New Hope

Letter to Yenta 02/04/02

Oh Yenta, Dear Yenta,     Just think.... The owner of the eyesore is running for a government post. Wow. All the people that have had a problem with that wreck, write your council or State Rep. and let them know. I have.
I realize that Mr. Gerenser thinks it was sabotage, either way it is time to remove the structure that has invaded our River. Mr. Gerenser please do the right thing by removing the boat. You may only help you campaign.

local yokal

Letter to Yenta 02/03/02

The abandoned wreck on the PA side of the Delaware belongs to non other than New Hope Borough council member (ex ?) Robert Gerenser. Or at least it used to be until he abandoned salvage attempts on it while it was still hung up on the rapids. It now seems that he has relinquished all responsibility for the wreck and unfortunately it will remain an eyesore until; a.) Mr. Gerenser is forced to take action by State or local law enforcement (no one has stepped up to the plate as of yet) or b.) Someone else, out of concern for their community and environment,takes it upon themselves to remove the wrecked vessel. Personally, I think that the New Hope borough council should take matters into their own hands, hire a salvage contractor and charge Mr. Gerenser for the costs incurred. Free ice cream for everyone !!

An Observer

Letter to Yenta 01/31/02

Every day I have to drive on 29, and see the wrecked New Hope boat on the Pennsylvania side of the river. Will the owner of this eyesore please take responsibility and salvage this wreck?

MRL

Yenta Column 01/30/02

Well, it's time for the Yenta to emerge from a mid-winter siesta along with the rest of the tourists. This warm weather has brought everyone out of hiding. Can you imagine, this past weekend there were folks jamming the sidewalk cafes, strolling with ice cream cones, hanging out with their cycles, even sculling, and ...all in short sleeves. Retailers were whistling!!!

Meanwhile, the hammers are tapping away as Union Square moves rapidly toward completion. It is very exciting to have the presence of the Michener Museum in New Hope. The positive impact will be fabulous for sure. And think of all the parking!!!

Winter Festival is this weekend...can it compete with the Super Bowl?? We'll see...so far, the Danny Wright concert is nearing sellout. How will other activities fair?? The snowman competition has been a boon to the window dressings of both New Hope and Lambertville. Make sure you don't miss the big parade from New Hope to Lambertville...blessed with Mummers--the real thing, the smoking snowman, local bands from both schools, fire and rescue vehicles and more!!!

Isn't it great that we haven't heard a thing about politics? Isn't life grand?!

The Yenta

Letter to Yenta 01/23/02

Someone write something? There must be some gossip somewhere in New Hope? Someone diss someone I need a fix of dish!

Letter to Yenta 01/02/02

Dear Friends:

I want to ask a favor of all of you.
Please take 30 seconds of your time to bow you heads and say thankyou. Thankyou for..... A healthy baby, a true friend, a great sister or sisters. Or a big brother who makes you crazy, only because he loves you. Let's not forget Mom, that is if you are lucky enough to have one. I cannot count the times I reach for the phone to call and say "Hey Mom guess what? but no one answers. Then their is Dad who barely knows you. But, that's okay. I have never felt more peace, then this 1st day of the New Year. If I can say one thing "Take time to smell the Roses."

From my family to yours. HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Judy Curcio-Butler

Letter to Yenta 12/31/01

Dear Yenta:

I just want to thank all my friends and Family for the generous
contributions. I received notice from a lot of organizations
I am sure if you have been around for a while, you must know me and/or family. My Dad had the Golden Pump restaurant for over 25 yrs. He loved this community. as well as myself.
So, on behalf of myself & my sisters..Thankyou all so much.

Sincerely,
Judy Curcio-Butler, Denise, & Rosie

Letter to Yenta 12/29/01

I am an a recent visitor to New Hope. I stayed at a handicapped
accessible lodging place in town (Wedgwood Inn) but was upset that most shops, restaurants and attractions are not 'friendly' to the physically disabled....including the new Starbucks Coffee, or any of the new shops behind the Gratz Gallery (very nice) along the entrance to the Steam Train (Geo Michael's ???). When i went to lodge a complaint, i couldn't access the NH Info Center nor NH Boro Hall. And Lambertville (NJ was even worse...

Yenta: why are so few places Handicapped Accessible? The ADA is quite clear on setting guidelines, esp for new construction and renovation projects. Why are some NH properties in compliance and some not? Politics or worse?

B. T. of Rumson, NJ

Letter to Yenta 12/09/01

Dearest Yenta, Since politics has reigned over your column for the past several months, I thought that a refreshing change of pace should be in order. I've come up with an idea on how to honor the victims of 9-11 over the holidays and would ask that you publish an email that I sent to my closest friends. Since New Hope will be the hub for the local effort, I'm hoping that anyone who would like to participate in our project would respond by following the directions in the email. I would also appreciate any other ideas that people might have that would make this project a real success.

Respectfully...Allan P. Duncan

Dated 12-7-2001

Friends, I've come up with what I think is a meaningful project for the holidays and wanted to let you all know about it in case
you wanted to help.

Yesterday, I received an email from the New Jersey State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy requesting volunteers to work at the Family Assistance Center in Jersey City for the rest of December. The Family Assistance Center was set up after the September 11th terrorist attack on New York City to help family members of people who were killed from New Jersey, those who were injured and those who lost their jobs.

Anyway, since I have 8 days of vacation that I have to take before the end of the year I figured that maybe I could work at the Center for some of those days. Today I notified them that I would like to work on December 17, 19 and 21 and might take on a few more days once I take care of business at my regular job.

I had also been thinking of a way to remember the victims of 9-11 during the holidays and was throwing out some ideas to one of my co-workers, Jeannine Guerriero. She then showed me a page from Martha Stewarts magazine about making an origami tree for the holidays. The inspiration for the tree was a story about a Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old when the atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima. She later contracted cancer as a result of her exposure to radiation from the bomb. Sadako then learned of a legend that told, that if a person folded 1,000 paper cranes, that God might grant them their wish to become well. She started making cranes in hopes of a cure, but never finished making 1,000 before she died at the age of 12. Her classmates then finished them for her. After her story became known, people from all over the world started sending paper cranes to Hiroshima in her memory.

I was deeply touched by Sadako's story and then had a brainstorm. Since the attack on New York on September 11th was
kind of like America's Hiroshima, I wondered if we could somehow send paper cranes to Ground Zero, just like people had sent them to Hiroshima, to honor and remember all of those lost, during the Christmas holiday. I've thought about this for two days now, and after talking to my boss, Dan Puntillo, my co-workers and my friends in New Hope where I live, I've come up with a plan.

My goal is to have around 3,700 paper cranes made between now and December 22nd (the last day the post office delivers before Christmas Eve). If all goes well, then I, along with whoever wants to go with me, will drive them to New York City on Christmas Eve. Each crane would represent one person lost in the disaster, and if we make enough of them to represent everyone that was lost that day, we can honor and remember them in a unique and meaningful way. Cranes in Japanese culture are symbols of peace, much like the doves that we use in the west. My hope is that by sending the cranes to Ground Zero on Christmas, that peace may come to those who were lost, and that peace may come to their families and loved ones.

The kids from our programs at Middle Earth will start making cranes next week, and I am appealing to schools, churches,
youth groups and families to help out too.

If you are interested in making cranes you can go to the following website to find instructions on folding them. http://www.hiroshima-is.ac.jp/Hiroshima/foldcrai.htm
There is also a simpler crane for children (and for those of us who are all thumbs when it comes to folding) at
http://members.aol.com/pforpeace/peacepals/project2.htm

Cranes are made from square paper, either 3.5" x 3.5" or 5" x 5". One idea I saw was to make them out of Christmas wrapping paper. You can also get regular origami paper in craft or stationary stores. You can also write your name and where you are from on them or include a meaningful saying on them. To mail them in a regular envelope, just fold the wings in and put them in the envelope. I imagine you could put quite a few in a clasp manilla envelope. Try to keep this simple and inexpensive.

For more ideas and further info on Sadako and other crane projects you can go to http://www.rosella.apana.org.au/~mlb/cranes/startup.htm#WhyPC
http://he.net/~sparker/cranes.html
http://www.sadako.org

People who make the cranes can either mail them or drop them off at either of two locations.
1. Middle Earth, Attn: Christmas Cranes, 98 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 (This is where I work)
2. Three Cranes Gallery, Attn: Christmas Cranes, 82 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938

If people are interested in learning how to make cranes, they can stop by Middle Earth on Saturday, December 15th from 10 AM to 1PM. I will be there that day decorating Middle Earth for the holidays with the kids I work with and we will show you how to make them. I am also looking for a space in New Hope where people can make them and when I find a place I will let you know.

My vision for this project is to have cranes migrate come from all over the country to Somerville and New Hope, where they will rest for a few days before their final flight to New York City on Christmas Eve. If you are interested in any further information regarding this project, please call me at 215-862-1327 (home) or at 908-725-7223 ext. 31 (work).

If you know of anyone else who might like to help out, please pass this on.

Peace and Love...Allan P. Duncan

Yenta Column 11/10/01

As always, this election, all preceding and all to follow, will have a
history that is never seen or recorded. There will always be charges, inuendos, false claims and true claims, but in the end...the vote is  after all the vote and no matter what has preceded...we all must move  forward and live with the results of our decisions.

Just as an aside,

...in regard to any posting that has not been made or that has had
verbage deleted, it has been because it has either contained abusive language, or comments with regard to personal chararcter, not relating to public affairs and that are not in keeping with the spirit of this column...which by the way, for those of you who have forgotten, is to provide a forum by which people can express their ideas and opinions of issues, and actions...not personalities.

Everyone, candidate or otherwise, has had 24/7 opportunity to offer their opinion on anything from the election, to revitalization,
motorcycles, hippies, art, school and whatever. If you have chosen not to speak and voice your opinion up to now...shame on you. Not only did the Yenta not receive any "coalition" members platforms, but also received none from any of the candidates except Knox and Valesco. By the way, the Yenta does not feel one bit slighted, because none of the other news media got much from them either...other than stock election platitudes.

The Yenta

Letter to Yenta 11/09/01

On behalf of the New Hope Democratic Committee we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate ALL of the candidates who participated in our recent election. To our re-elected mayor and newly elected council members your hard work paid off. No matter what your party affiliation we all share our love of New Hope and we all look forward to a positive new beginning and a unified government.

New Hope Democratic Committee

Letter to Yenta 11/09/01

Being given all things to hold some truth,and to reference the first
amendment now realize where you ms.kingsley stand and see through your persons whom may over see the outcome of reality.
It sort of all makes sense,your own northern alliance as it where.
Good luck to you and your cohorts to destroy this town,god bless and lets raise taxes through the roof,and as best that you can to separate we the people to no longer accept are selfs as just a small community with allot to pervide,but to more so undermined the integrity of ounce human compassion and pridewith a landscape that set presidents through out the world.
You have done well!!??

Marc Fresco

Letter to Yenta 11/09/01

New Hope should be proud that this recent election resulted in the highest voter turnout in its history. What a testament to our citizens, and to the democratic process! Congratulations to Mayor Keller and to the new Council candidates.
I also want to say that I have personally never been more proud of working with the two Democratic candidates, Joe Knox and Dr. Rey Velasco. They were focused, friendly, professional and enthusiastic – and their platforms were straightforward from the very beginning of the campaign.
Joe Knox made a superb effort in his bid for mayor, and he garnered a healthy 44% of the votes, despite what the pundits predicted. It was quite a powerful statement from our community.
Even though it’s difficult to keep the same momentum going post-election, it would be good to see more of the voters come out to Borough Council meetings whenever possible and get involved in expressing their hopes and ideas for New Hope’s future.

Jan Witte

Letter to Yenta 11/08/01

Well the town of new Hope survives another round of the jewlery round house,inuwendos.
To <deleted>  I would like to create a sculpture of you but i could never see it to stand.With one foot in your mouth,your head up your <deleted>,pony tail looking like a serious un- shaven <deleted>,It would not stand up(no pun intended).
Joe Knox and his crew have cost this town hundreds of thousand of dollars,to you yes the taxpayers,If i explain it in detail,the so called persons will no doubt try and sue me .
So why don't you such do gooders(great wordEh!)put forth your effort to help this town,how about your good friends removal of his boat from the ounce pristine shore of are beautiful river,maybe to help with the decorations for Xmas ,walk through late night plan??.   Having a positive outlook will always have positive results. That is more what this town needs then anyone person and or your selfish and negative commentary

Marc Antony Fresco.

Letter to Yenta 11/08/01

As the Yenta says, the Voters have spoken. Yes, and they have spoken well. As a supporter of the NHR, I am glad to see how well they did. Perhaps the "Endorsed Democrats" could learn a thing or to on how to campaign. At no time did I see a negative campaign add for the NHR candidates, and I am sure that's one reason that helped them win. Everyone is sick and tired of all the political mud slinging, and the "Endorsed Democrats" did PLENTY of that. Another thing that I feel didn't help them, was a nasty letter in the Gazette a few weeks ago from a certain Borough Council Woman, and also a letter from a couple of all too frequent letter writers from North Main Street. Lets face it, nobody wants to hear what the Mayor, or a council person did or didn't do in the past. Its OLD news and the contents of the letters in the Gazette
just rehashed everything that everyone has heard more than enough about already. So lets get on with life in New Hope.

Bill Scheetz
Village 2

Letter to Yenta 11/08/01

The tie breaker between Jake Fell and Rey Velasco:
This is not the first time that Jake Fell has faced a tie breaking procedure for a Borough election. Some years back, there was a tie between Geri Delavich and Jake Fell for Council Person. It was settled the same way, and Jake lost.
According to Jake: The official method of breaking a tie in Pennsylvania is for the candidates or a representative from each side to draw a numbered ball out of a bowl (sometimes described
as a pitcher with a spout to deliver only one ball at a time). Thus, each candidate has an equal chance. The high number wins.
Does this sound rather like a game of chance? Yes, but think about the advantages....According to the elections officials, the reason is so that municipalities do not have to go through the expense of having runoff elections. This method is fair, and simple, and settles the matter quickly. A runoff election could not settle the matter for several months. Even though it sounds a bit like gambling, it gets the job done efficiently.
Sometimes the low-tech method is best after all.
Jack Stewart

The Yenta Column 11/07/01

Well, the voters have spoken...

Congratulations to the winners...and yet to be determined winners in the recent mayoral and council elections in the Borough, and to all those candidates who ran for office. As it turns out, the encumbent Larry Keller, held on to his seat once again. It should be noted that Joe Knox garnered over 375 +/- votes to Larry Keller's 475 +/- votes. It would appear that the Mayor needs to pay very close attention to the handling of the "affairs of state (borough)" over the next four years. It is clear that close to 50% of the town has some serious reservations.

For the council seats...Sharon Keyser has retained her seat. Two newcomers...Randy Flager and Ed Duffy will be taking on their new responsibilities after the 1st of the year. The candidates Swanson, Brown and Butler had a modest showing.

But the real surprise is a tie...you got it...a tie between long time encumbent (so long it's hard to remember just how long he's been there) Jake Fell and Dr. Rae Valesco...absolutely dead even. The real kicker is how to resolve the tie. Rumor has it that the court will "flip a coin!" Can this be true? If so, this is worse than the hanging chads of November 7th. Is this the way we want a decision made. Can somebody help? Is this really true... please write.

The Yenta

The Yenta Column 11/05/01

The election is upon us, and so it seems is complacency. A sad commentary considering the events of September 11. One would think, (perhaps that is the operative word), that every candidate would feel the weight of the responsibility to fully participate in the process of democracy. Putting forth a campaign platform has long been the process by which candidates let the public know what it is they stand for, what they will attempt to accomplish and hopefully, how they will accomplish it. In the case of New Hope, unfortunately, only two candidates have attempted to put forth their beliefs and views in a format upon which their future actions can be judged. And the rest...well, they have simply spewed the same old political hack platitudes which are empty.
The Yenta recommends supporting candidates of substance...do you?

The Yenta!

Letter to Yenta 11/04/01

Tearing down signs endorsing Joe Knox for Mayor and Dr. Rey Velasco for Borough Council is not going to prevent their winning the election. It does not stop their professionalism, enthusiasm, honesty and the open government that they plan to bring to New Hope when elected. These candidates do not deserve to have common thieves disrespecting their hard work. Let us as voters send a message to these individuals and on election day November 6, 2001 cast your vote for Joe Knox for Mayor and Dr. Rey Velasco for Borough Council, candidates that you can trust.

Respectfully,
RH Ashton

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